Phoenix Rising players participate in a moment of silence for the late John McCain before its game against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday night at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex on Aug. 25, 2018. Kynan Marlin/The Republic

Phoenix Rising FC forward Jason Johnson attempts to take control of the ball on June 29, 2018, during Phoenix Rising FC's 1-0 win against the Orange County Soccer Club at the Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex in Tempe, Arizona. Brian Munoz / The Republic

Fans cheer on the Rising on June 29, 2018, during Phoenix Rising FC's 1-0 win against the Orange County Soccer Club at the Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex in Tempe, Arizona. Brian Munoz / The Republic

Fans cheer on the Rising on June 29, 2018, during Phoenix Rising FC's 1-0 win against the Orange County Soccer Club at the Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex in Tempe, Arizona. Brian Munoz / The Republic

Phoenix Rising FC forward Jason Johnson and Orange County SC defender Thomas Juel-Nielsen land a fall after fighting for the ball on June 29, 2018, during Phoenix Rising F.C's matchup against the Orange County Soccer Club at the Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex in Tempe, Arizona. Brian Munoz, Brian Munoz / The Republic

Phoenix Rising FC forward Jason Johnson and Orange County SC defender Thomas Juel-Nielsen land a fall after fighting for the ball on June 29, 2018, during Phoenix Rising F.C's matchup against the Orange County Soccer Club at the Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex in Tempe, Arizona. Brian Munoz, Brian Munoz / The Republic

Phoenix Rising FC midfielder Gladson Awako drives the ball up the field on June 29, 2018, during Phoenix Rising F.C's matchup against the Orange County Soccer Club at the Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex in Tempe, Arizona. Brian Munoz, Brian Munoz / The Republic

A ball girl holds her nose during the match between Phoenix Rising FC and Las Vegas Lights FC at Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for The Republic

Phoenix Rising's head coach Patrice Carteron walks back to the bench before the start of a game against Sacramento at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex in Tempe, Ariz. on May 19, 2018. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Phoenix Rising's head coach Patrice Carteron looks at his other coaches before the start against Sacramento at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex in Tempe, Ariz. on May 19, 2018. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Phoenix Rising's Didier Drogba protests a goal being taken away after a mad scramble and collision near the net against Sacramento in the first half at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex in Tempe, Ariz. on May 19, 2018. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Phoenix Rising's Didier Drogba (11) shoots a rebound off his penalty but cannot score against Sacramento during the first half at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex in Tempe, Ariz. on May 19, 2018. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Phoenix Rising's Didier Drogba holds up a jersey celebrating his 500th game of his career before the start against Sacramento Republic at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex in Tempe, Ariz. on May 19, 2018. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Phoenix Rising's Didier Drogba holds up a jersey celebrating his 500th game of his career before the start against Sacramento Republic at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex in Tempe, Ariz. on May 19, 2018. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Phoenix Rising fans protest a goal being taken away after a mad scramble and collision near the net against Sacramento in the first half at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex in Tempe, Ariz. on May 19, 2018. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Phoenix Rising fans protest a goal being taken away after a mad scramble and collision near the net against Sacramento in the first half at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex in Tempe, Ariz. on May 19, 2018. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Head coach Steve Cooke of Oklahoma City Energy FC during the game against Phoenix Rising FC at Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex on Saturday, March 24, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Fans celebrate a goal by Phoenix Rising FC during their game against Oklahoma City Energy FC at Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex on Saturday, March 24, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Joy He, age 6, celebrates a goal by Phoenix Rising FC during their game against Oklahoma City Energy FC at Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex on Saturday, March 24, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. Billy Hardiman/Special for azcentral sports

Phoenix Rising's Didier Drogba yells out to his teammates during the first half against Real Monarchs at the Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex in Tempe, Ariz. on April 7, 2018. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Phoenix Rising's Gladson Awako is pulled down by Real Monarchs' Sebastian Velasquez (55) during the first half against Real Monarchs at the Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex in Tempe, Ariz. on April 7, 2018. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Phoenix Rising's Gladson Awako is pulled down by Real Monarchs' Sebastian Velasquez (55) during the first half against Real Monarchs at the Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex in Tempe, Ariz. on April 7, 2018. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Despite the loss, Phoenix had double the amount of shots. However, the Rising only had two shots on target out of its 22 total shots taken. While the Timbers only had 11 shots, they had four on target and ended up converting one into a goal in the 84th minute.

“We had our chance, we just didn’t finish them,” Rising defender Joseph Farrell said. “We had plenty of chances to go up one-nothing, we just didn’t do it.”

Other than not being able to capitalize on the opportunities, Rising manager Rick Schantz thought there were a lot of questionable calls, especially at the end of the game.

Phoenix dropped one spot but finished the season as the three seed in the Western Conference and will enjoy home field advantage for its first postseason matchup. However, the Rising are entering the playoffs on a two-game losing streak.

“It’s getting difficult to play against 12 players,” Schantz said. “They gave us a bunch of fouls that shouldn’t have been given to us. … I can’t stand it, it’s disgusting. These guys are pros, they’re out here working their butts off and we get local referees that just come out here and want to be important and I’m getting tired of it. For some of us this is our livelihood and this is our future and for these guys it’s just a Saturday night game."

The Rising will take on the Timbers again their first home playoff game ever on Friday.

Saturday's match

Outlook: After losing to the Las Vegas Lights FC 5-2 Wednesday, Phoenix Rising are looking to bounce back in its final game of the season against the Portland Timbers 2. … When the two teams met earlier in the season, the Rising won 4-1… The Rising are currently second in USL's Western Conference standings. Even though the Rising are only three points behind Orange County SC, a win against the Timbers probably wouldn’t push Phoenix to first place since Orange County has a six-goal lead in goal differential. ... A Phoenix loss and a Sacramento Republic FC win would put the Rising down a spot to third in the standings. ... If the Rising were to win or draw against Portland, the two teams could possibly play each other in the Rising’s first home playoff game every next Friday… The Rising’s Chris Cortez currently has the fourth most goals in the USL and the second most in the Western Conference with 17 goals.